Better Careers Advice

Laurence wants young people transitioning from education to work to get more support

Laurence plans to share his film in schools and colleges

Laurence struggled to find a job after he left university

A former student, who spent a year trying to find work, is calling for better careers advice in school so that young people can make more informed decisions about their futures.

Laurence Griffin, 25, has made a film with Fixers making his case.

He says: ‘My film is me talking from the heart and showing the personal experience that I had. I feel like in our society young people don’t get enough careers advice, guidance and support when they go from education into work.

‘I want my film to show that tutors and teachers are in the perfect position to steer young people in the right direction if they’re unsure about their career paths.’

Laurence, from Skipton in Yorkshire, feels that instead of focusing on grades educational establishments should teach students practical skills that will help them in workplaces and make them aware of all the different options they have – such as apprenticeships.

‘The careers advice I was given at school felt very generic. I didn’t receive any proper guidance to help me into employment or enable me to find out what career would suit me best, I felt like I was very much on my own,’ he says.

‘I decided to join the local college to study A-Levels – but the decision was rushed and I didn’t feel like I had any alternative.

‘I was unemployed for about a year. It reduced me to tears and I felt completely stuck and so stressed. I was facing a lot of pressure to get a job,’ he says.

Laurence, who is now an intern at Deutsche Bank, plans to share his film in sixth form colleges and universities.

‘I want to show other people going through this that they’re not alone – it’s a widespread problem and school leavers and graduates can end up stuck in a rut because they’re not being given the right support,’ he says.

‘I hope my film sparks a conversation and makes this less of a taboo subject.’

To find other resources on this topic, and watch Fixers films, click on the image below.